HISTORY OF VERMONT. 357 



husbandmen, but among the speculators, politi- 

 cians, and leaders of mobs, that we look for a 

 settled trade, and high attainments, in venality 

 and corruption. 



The most general information which the 

 body of mankind can ever expect to obtain, 

 seems to be more connected with agriculture, 

 than with any other business. The man whose 

 employment it is to make needles, nails, knives, 

 or any other article of manufacture, acquires 

 uncommon skill and attainments in that particu- 

 lar kind of business ; and we are astonished at 

 the effects, which his labors produce. It is 

 hov/ever the unhappiness of the men who are 

 devoted to such employments, that their atten- 

 tion is swallowed up by one object ; and that 

 the main course of their thoughts and pursuits, 

 move only in a small circle. The husbandman, 

 from the nature of his occupation, is obliged to 

 contemplate a greater variety of things and ob- 

 jects. He must be conversant with the nature 

 of soil and climate ; what one part of his farm 

 will produce, and what may be expected from 

 another. His attention is turned to the nature, 

 growth, and productions of vegetables ; what 

 grain, provender, or fruit he needs, and can 

 raise with ease and profit. He must understand 

 the constitution, genius, and pursuits of animals ; 

 from which of them he may derive the most 

 profit, and which he can raise and govern to the 

 greatest advantage. The winds, weather, and 

 seasons, what is to be expected from their regu- 

 lar operations, or from their perpetual variations, 

 become of course matters of constant observa- 

 tion. Such things are in fact among the most 



